City
Epaper

Centre details Shubhanshu Shukla’s studies on microalgae, cyanobacteria on space station

By IANS | Updated: July 23, 2025 15:49 IST

New Delhi, July 23 Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla conducted experiments on three indigenous microalgal species and two cyanobacteria ...

Open in App

New Delhi, July 23 Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla conducted experiments on three indigenous microalgal species and two cyanobacteria strains on the International Space Station to study the sustainability of human life in space, the Union government informed the Parliament on Wednesday.

Last month, Shukla became the first Indian to reach the ISS. He returned on July 15, after an 18-day mission, packed with several experiments, led by ISRO, and other activities on the orbital lab.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, shared the details of the experiments conducted onboard the ISS to boost biological life support systems for futuristic space missions.

“Three indigenous robust microalgal species, namely, Chlorella sorokiniana-I, Parachlorellakessleri-I, and Dysmorphococcus globosus-HI, were experimented on the International Space Station (ISS) to study the impact of microgravity, CO2, and O2 levels

simultaneously in space and on the Earth (indoor lab),” Singh said.

“These microalgae have the potential to function effectively in microgravity environments and grow fast on Earth to produce value-added products of industrial importance, while in space,

capturing excess CO2 from the ISS cabin and making vital nutrients and food supplements to support the astronauts’ lives in space,” the MoS said.

Singh noted that IAF Group Captain Shukla also studied the growth of two cyanobacteria strains -- an Indian isolate of Spirulina, and a very fast-growing Synechococcus strain -- on two different nitrogen sources, nitrate and urea, in microgravity.

“The cyanobacteria experiment is expected to demonstrate the ability of cyanobacteria to recycle both carbon and nitrogen,” the Minister said.

It will also be an important progress towards developing cyanobacteria-based biological life support systems for futuristic space missions, he added.

The space journey and experiments conducted by Shukla -- the youngest astronaut-designate under India's Gaganyaan mission -- are expected to be a key stepping-stone for India's human spaceflight mission, slated for 2027.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIsrael condemns France's decision to recognise Palestinian state

International"I think we understand each other well": UK PM Starmer, PM Modi share light moment at joint presser

InternationalUS Justice Department sues New York City over immigration policies

International"Protests in Ukraine are internal affair," says Kremlin, claims widespread corruption

NationalNarendra Modi becomes 2nd longest serving PM in India, surpasses Indira Gandhi's record

Technology Realted Stories

TechnologyYoga may reduce diabetes risk by 40 per cent: Study

TechnologyAI-powered Jihad: Islamic State’s new frontier in terror tactics

TechnologyUnion Minister Vaishnaw hails India's chip design ecosystem as startups attract major VC funding

TechnologyAndhra Pradesh Cabinet approves electronics manufacturing policy

TechnologyDepartment of Posts links up with UPI to set up safe low-cost channel for remittances to India